Device for storage of hazardous material

Abstract

A device ( 10 ) for storage of hazardous material, especially heat-producing hazardous material, such as radioactive spent nuclear reactor fuel, comprises a substantially cylindrical reinforced concrete body ( 12 ) with an axially elongate storage space ( 18 ) for the hazardous material. A cylindrical central passage ( 11 ) open at both ends extends axially through the device ( 10 ). A plurality of cylindrical storage compartments ( 18 ) which form the storage space are disposed about the central passage ( 11 ) parallel to and radially spaced from it. Heat conveyed inwardly from the storage compartments ( 18 ) is dissipated from the device by air or water flowing upwardly in the central passage ( 11 ).

1 . A device ( 10 ) for storage of hazardous material, especially heat-producing hazardous material, such as radioactive spent nuclear reactor fuel, comprising a substantially cylindrical concrete body ( 12 ) with an axially elongate storage space ( 18 ,  18 A) for the hazardous material, characterised by a cylindrical central passage ( 11 ) which is open at both ends and extends axially through the device ( 10 ), and a plurality of cylindrical storage compartments ( 18 ,  18 A) which form the storage space and are disposed about the central passage ( 11 ,  11 A) parallel to and radially spaced from it.  
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the storage compartments ( 18 ,  18 A) are uniformly distributed about the central passage ( 11 ,  11 A) and have their axes disposed on an imaginary cylinder concentric with the central passage.  
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterised in that the storage compartments ( 18 ,  18 A) are defined by cylindrical vessels which are jointlessly embedded in the concrete of the concrete body ( 12 ,  12 A).  
     
     
         4 . A device according to any one of  claims 1  to  3 , characterised in that the storage compartments ( 18 ,  18 A) contain a fluid coolant and in that each storage compartment forms a closed circulation circuit together with a circulation passage ( 19 ) which is provided in the concrete body ( 12 ,  12 A) and disposed on the side of the storage compartment remote from the central passage ( 11 ,  11 A) and which communicates with the storage compartment ( 18 ,  18 A) adjacent to the ends of the storage compartment.  
     
     
         5 . A device according to any one of  claims 1  to  4 , characterised by a ring of axially extending open-ended through passages ( 38 ) provided in the concrete body ( 12 A) radially outwardly of the storage compartments ( 18 A).  
     
     
         6 . A device according to any one of  claims 1  to  5 , characterised in that a prestressed reinforcement ( 17 ,  17 A) having reinforcing members ( 28 ,  29 ,  28 A,  29 A) extending helically about the central passage ( 11 ,  11 A) is provided in the concrete body ( 12 ,  12 A) adjacent to the outer side thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 5 , characterised in that the reinforcing members ( 28 ,  29 ,  28 A,  29 A) are divided into two groups, one inside the other, the hand of the reinforcing members ( 28 ,  28 A) of one of the groups being opposite to the hand of the reinforcing members ( 29 ,  29 A) of the other group.  
     
     
         8 . A device according to any one of  claims 1  to  7 , characterised in that the ends of the concrete body are provided with end covers ( 15 ,  16 ,  16 A) which are provided with openings forming part of the central passage ( 11 ,  11 A), and in that at least the end cover ( 16 ,  16 A) of one end of the concrete body ( 12 ,  12 A) preferably has openings ( 34 ,  35 ) which are located directly opposite to the storage spaces ( 18 ,  18 A) and are of a size allowing passage through them of material to be stored in the storage compartments ( 18 ,  18 A).  
     
     
         9 . A device as claimed in  claim 8  as dependent on  claim 6  or  7 , characterised in that the reinforcing members ( 28 ,  29 ,  28 A,  29 A) are anchored in the end covers ( 15 ,  16 ,  16 A).  
     
     
         10 . A device according to any one of  claims 6  to  9 , characterised in that each end cover ( 15 ,  16 ,  16 A) includes an inner plate ( 22 ,  22 A) engaging the concrete body ( 12 ,  12 A) and an outer plate ( 21 ,  21 A), which is spaced from the inner plate over at least the major part of the end cover, the space between the plates being at least partly filled with concrete.  
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 10 , characterised in that each end cover ( 15 ,  16 ,  16 A) includes a rail ( 27 ,  27 A) extending along the outer edge of the end cover, and in that the reinforcing members ( 28 ,  29 ) are secured to the rail ( 27 ,  27 A).  
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 11 , characterised in that the rail ( 27 A) is disposed in a depression ( 39 ) formed in the outer plate ( 21 A) of the end cover ( 16 A).